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mercoledì 29 marzo 2017

Children being sexually abused across Cleveland

Scores of children younger than four-years-old have been reported as being sexually abused across Cleveland with the number of child sex offences being recorded by police trebling last year.

Shocking figures released by the NSPCC have revealed that police recorded 68 children aged four and under and 270 children aged 10 and under were sexually abused - some of whom would be too young to even attend primary school.

Latest statistics gained through NSPCC requests to police found officers recorded, on average, in the UK one child sex offence every 10 minutes.

Police recorded crimes against children that included rape, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation.

Across Cleveland in 2014/15 there were 247 child sex offences recorded by the police, but that figure rose the following year to 820.

There were also 55 cases relating to cyber offences.

The NSPCC believes many reasons could explain the increase including police forces improving recording methods and online grooming becoming a major problem with predators reaching multiple children.

It is also thought to be down to survivors feeling more confident in disclosing abuse following high-profile cases previously dubbed the Jimmy Savile affect.

Detective Superintendent Anne-Marie Salwey, Head of Specialist Crime for Cleveland Police said: “There has been a £3m investment into Cleveland Polices’ Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, including the creation of the VEMT team to deal solely with child sexual exploitation, missing and trafficked children and an increase in specially trained officers within the Paedophile Online Investigation Team and the Child Abuse Investigation Team.

“Police work closely with partner agencies to tackle child abuse as part of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards and subgroups which specifically look at child sexual exploitation, missing and trafficked children.

“These subgroups have been well received by the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Ofsted. A pilot scheme is also coming to an end which looks at the emotional health and wellbeing of young people affected by child sexual exploitation.

“We have seen an increase in the reporting of sexual offences, including historical offences. In part these numbers have grown due to an increase in confidence of victims coming forward and speaking to police, impacted by the number of high profile cases in the national media.”

She added: “Victims are offered advice and support from independent agencies and are also given support by Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, known as ISVA’S.

“Intermediaries are also available to assist children when speaking to police about difficult issues.

“Those who have been a victim of sexual abuse are encouraged to come forward and report it to police. Victims can be assured that they will be listened to and that all reports will be thoroughly investigated by specially trained officers.”

In Northumbria and Cleveland in the period 2015-2016 there was a total of 2,302 offences, an increase from 1,025 the previous year 2014-2015.

Across the UK, the total rose to a record 55,507 in 2015/16, which was an average of 152 a day.

The total number of sex offences committed across Cleveland is unknown, as children may be too frightened or embarrassed to come forward.

Some do not realise that they have been abused.

To cope with the numbers of children coming forward the NSPCC is calling for specialist training for police investigating online child abuse, effective rehabilitation for child sex offenders, and investment in early intervention services to help children recover.